Apparatus for concentrating solutions in general.



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of which is connected with the coil 3 of an interchanger 4, that may be of any suitable form, for instance of the Houdart type, and in which the refrigerating water already slightly warmed coming from the tube 5 of the main condenser circulates in countercurrent. Refrigerating water at the ordi-nary temperature (12 to 15 C.) is introduced through the tube 7 in said main condenser, in the coil 8 of which the gas coming from the coil 3 of the interchanger 4 circulates Owing to this arrangement the quantity of refrigerating water cir; culating in the condenser is considerably reduced without diminishing the output of the machine, moreover I obtain water at about 25 C. at the outlet of the interchanger 4. p The gas coming from the condenser enters the tube 9, thence, through the expansion valves 10 reaching the refrigerating coils 11 of one or the other of the concentrating tanks 12, 12a; leaving said tanks the gas passes through the suction pipe 13 on which is inserted the by-compressor or pressure regulator 14, intended to regulate the pressure in the suction pipe keeping it nearly constant and therefore to keep constant the weight of the gas drawn in (in the unit of time) by the main compressor, the result being to avoid all change in the eiiiciency of the refrigerating machine whatever may be the temperature in the concentrating tanks. It is well understood that the'by-compressor 14 in oider to keep constant the pressure in the pipe 13 must either work at a speed Varying in inverse ratio ltothe pressure in the pipe 13 or vary the travel of the piston. This may be effected automatically 1n several ways. The automatic regulation of the speed of the pump 14 may be obtained easily for instance by operating said pump by means of an electric motor 15 the speed of which may be varied between very large limits by means of the rheostat 16. For the automatic regulation of the rheostat 16 1 may use for instance the piston rod 17 contained in the cylinder 18 connected through the shunt 19 with the pipe 13, said piston being continually pressed downward by means of the spring Q0 while the handle 22 of the rheostat is articulated in 21 to the piston. It will beseen that if the pressure in 13 increases above the desired point the piston 17 is raised and the handle 22 causes the insertion of a greater resistance to take place, the result being to diminish the speed of the motor and therefore of the compressor 14, whereby the pressure in 13 is caused to sink. 0n thev contrary if the pressure in 13 falls under the desired limit, the piston 17 is lowered, thus decreasing the resistance in the circuit operating the electric motor so that it will run the compressor 14 at a higher speed and thus restoring promptly the required pressure "in the pipe 13.

suction pipe of the main compressor will answer the purpose.

It appears that by means of the by-com-u presser 14 and without changing the speed of the main compressor 1, it is possible to keep constant the pressure in 13, this being necessary condition in order to obtain a constant eliiciency of the refrigerating machine whatever may be the temperature in the evaporator.

In order to effect an even freezing of the concentrating solution, the density of which is not uniform as during the freezing' process the more concentrated solution falls or rises according to its density, it is necessary that each layer be brought to a temperature corresponding to its concentration. For this purpose l have proposed to employ several independent coils arranged at different heights in the freezing tanks and in which the expansion of a suitable quantity of gas is produced in order to obtain the required temperature. have found that it is not necessary to use said complicated arrangements, as the result may be obtained by using a series of refrigerating coils 1,1 (Fig. 2) extending from top to bottom of the tank containing the solution to be frozen. If in each of said coils a limited quantity of liquefied gas is introduced in the direction indicated by the arrow in full linesif the quantity of gas is suitably calculated with regard to the sizeI of the coil and the temperature of the outstanding solutionthe gas will remain in the state of saturated vapor in the first turns of said coil for instance to the point X, while in the last turns the gas is superheated, the solution in the different parts of the coil will `therefore be cooled at a dierent temperature. By regulating the quantity of gas introduced in the coil, the absorption of heat, which is constant in the first layers of the solution to be frozen where are the first turns of the coil, will increase more and more as the last turns are reached, where the superheated gas circulates. Therefore, by suitably regulating the quantity of gas introduced in the freezing pipes, very noticeable diferences of temperature between the gas evaporating in the upper turns and that of the gas superheating in the lower turns will be obtained. This difference of temperature will remain constant as long as the quantity of gas introduced andthe temperature of the liquid surrounding the coils are constant; but if said quantity increases or diminishes, evidently the point X, which is so to say the limit between the two zones of the saturated vapor and the superheated gas, changes its tratzetl in my ll patsnt app@ d valves and opening the valves ill"5 S37 tlm, c? I position, viz. it will assuma t l@ pmi o? X?. lt is thsfem mssibls .1. 7 the quantity of mtwalmscl t0 mareas-e m -flmmtllslitis n'emils @l tt 1n which the gils 1s evspnmtsd. at com temperature' mrymg therems the mslm-at tion. lt is 'also easy to invert sirciilr of the .s as shown 'by tlm aifrows in tlts lines, uoling 'thus quickly t. iowa? ci' the coil, this permitting tu qu the lower mars concentrated luysifs' si? solution to be frozen, by maling that@ sutabls temperature.

lt Will be seen that usig rms. selles coils winding ftsm the top tu th@ botte-iii r 3" the solution. to be :irasn it pc sifis obtain tlm subsequent of llayeis mt tha sslutmi mi this ably regulating tlas quzmnlty ol* duced in the cell mtl by investing the drectisn of the lliitl circulatinf 0011s. This arrangemnt 43o-agentia lng tank 1s shown m 'V i ml section smi plan in Fig. 2, '.1' which ma llllefent amis 1l' ausm ed in many vsi'tisal planes mss connectec sepimtsly at thsii' tipps? mtl lower ends with the collectisi, tively through wliclvtlis gas alternately admitted and flisfflmlgefl.

The, inversion of the circulation si ,i .x'gel'ating fluid. in the coils above flsscf will of'. Course fzye the sama "sults wh gas is replacs by all unwnysslslils eluted solution, the citsumtmi may be inverted, when lows laysls the solution already eoincsntmt le flotan, by means of suitsbl@ spl 363,928 amil lFfLtGlit Ms. i the r'efrigeratsd brine paf tube 25 ses Figs. 5, 2mal ons 011 the other (if the Willys the other of the tubes Q8, 29 11 @their of the collectors 3G, Si v ln orler ts facilitate the tmifmm tion of said latins, the; tislies Q55', near the bottom of tliscollsc' are surrounded @will by la, W'i. tively 33 provide-.fl Wit-li lwles tl'liougll the` brine coming; out trom, the lowe; 0f the tubes 28, 29 is evenly ib' the ctillectors 30, This smaila); in (me or in the other fflirsctsiithstubes Ell of the freezing; tank :m ci;v at last through oney orlls otllsi' 'of charging tintes 35, 36 prin/itis; stop valves 37, 38, strangest at tlm uh i part 'of the collectors 3i?, El and belli ,sel-ted on the discharging pipe 39. llms il'mr riwmcs by opening; the valvss 26, 2l@ en ulaton out the iefrigemte 'brine et feeted in the direction shown by ai'sfoy'i's in full lines at Fig. 5,.wiile' closing', :l1-lil" i, castrated om ..2 f,

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spaced all through i purpose the com fm' instance the is cmweyafl, tliiongh the tube .1s 'apparatus (Figs. sv'spoatn lll and n sviapmzitm" cfm-y slo'sfl :it both @mls and ci slid lol-vai part 'wi l1 a TWD tube. sheets li-939 Mc, .lll l, willing in tulnas ll All leading smicl collectms Us connects@ by ai plurality (if tubes sill", this tube lm luwer 'milil uit the` cylinder sible 'Wall gli sum-minding tlm mitm suffixes 0l' the cyl si! are maar r@- cmaxlunssrs :tmlwit double Attcly siwmmifl siiitl con" intim mi ll i i outiffl w1 ai, ly im ns nl! tlm tu y iismism" ii flat cf p 1 lgs. 3., Tljw, maar recesses l tu mi. 1 ii tmml "qs, Z5, l). l'iinully the 3 commmiicniiss llil'uggli. suction pipe 48 of s Y ing also cc'mxieutcztl 0l th@ cmxccixtyuted casing lila of tile mg; the avapcondensws l5, lll con-- 'li times Il-( (Fig. l)

rom ills M'spm'ntnr into 'm c'icnliatc, while in the lll tubes and cdsingof the condenscrs 45, 4G refrigeratin Water at the lowest temperature availab e (l2-15 C.) and Water cooled at about its freezin point is respectively caused to run, the co d water being obtained by filtering the refrigerating Water through the ice left in the refrigerating tank 12 after the displacement and 'reaching 46g through the tube 50. The condensed liquid in the condensers 45 and 46 may be drawn ott by any Well known means.

Though of course any other Ine-.ins of cooling or Warming the Water may be used, I obtain the lukewarm Water used to heat the apparatus in the following manner: The Water at the temperature of about 25 C. leaving the interchanger 4 is conveyed, by means of the pipe 52, in 53, that represents Yeither the condenser of the steam engine or the double casing and the cooling apparatus of, the gas motor. By suitably regulating the circulation it is easy to obtain Water at a suitable temperature, for instance 40O C. The Water thus heated enters the evaporator 44 passing through the tube 44e and comes out through the tube that conveys it to the interclianger 56, leaving then this latter again at about the ordinary teinperature, -in this interchanger the con- -centrated solution refrigerated at about 0O C. circulates in countercurrent.

The concentrated solution contained inthe tank 43 connected through the coil 57 of the interchanger 55 with the tube 44i of the inlet to the evaporator 44, is drawn in through said coil of the interchanger, where it becomes heated before entering the evaporator 44. This result is obtained by reason of the suction effected by the pump 49 in the whole of the concentrating apparat-us and the liquid is then discharged in collecting reservoir 51 of the reconcentrated solution, said reservoirbeing also connected, as already eXpla1ned,'

with the suction pipe 48 of the pump 49 and besides through the tube 58 with the Waste pipe 44k of the evaporator. The solution to be reconcentrated in the vacuum by means of the puin 49 goes from the reservoir 43 to the cham er 44h of the evaporator 44 and at last in the reservoir 5l.l Vln the evaporator 44, Where the pressure is very low the solu tion to be reconcentrated and which is heated by the lukewarm Water circulating in the l tubes 44I will boil ,the steam passing through 55 the tube or slot and fiat casing 451 (Fig. 4) enters the recess 45h, Where in contact with the refrigerated tubes 45f or casing is partially condensed, the remaining steam enters through the tube 4G* the condenser 40h, where in'contact with the tubes 46f refrigerated at about OO C., the vapor is completely condensed, so that, during` the normal Work, no steam will come out throughthc tube 47, the work of the pump being limited to the suction of the air or othcrgas contained in the apparatus or eventually dissolved in the concentrated solution.

In order to prevent, during the'boiling of the liquid in the evaporator 44, the projection of some of the liquid or the foam into the condenser 45, I arrange in the slot 451 a stop 59 consisting of a longitudinal metallic plate serving to stop the rise of the foam, or I may provide any other suitable means to avoid this inconvenience.

After passing through the evaporator 44 the rcconcentrated solution which is generally very viscous enters through the tube 58 in the reservoir 5l of the reconcentrated solution. When said reservoir is filled up I close the cocks 60, 6l and open 62 to connect the interior of the reservoir 51 With the atmosphere and restore the normal pressure whereupon said filled up reservoir may be taken aivay andan empty one substituted.

By the improved proces and apparatus of concentration by evaporation in the vacuum above described, aim to remove at a very low temperature (generally not exceeding 25C C.) so much Water as is deemed `necessary to insure the conservation of the extract and the crystallization of the tiystallizable solution; it is even possible to e'l aporate at a lower temperature when the solution to be concentrated is very delicate (musts and perfumed juices and' similar products); This result is obtained chiefly owing to the use of the condenser 46 in which Water at the temperature of 0o is caused to circulate, said water causing the pressure in all the condensers to sink very low. V

In order that the process above described may be fully understood, I will describe the use of same for the concentration of grape juice. A

Suppose it is desired to concentrate grape juice containing originally 25% of dry extract; viz., 25 parts of extract in 100 parts of water. In order to. concentrate it until 100 parts of extractbe dissolved in 100 parts` of water, it is necessary to separate (300 kilos of water per ton of must, which (supposing the juice is at the temperature of about 200 C.) requires tho absorption of about 80,000 calories for each ton of juice. In order to concentrate a ton of juice per hour it is therefore necessary to use a machine capable of absorbing 80,000 calories per hour requiring a 40 hp. compressor, that is a 50 hp. motor including the running of the pumps. Thetherinic equivalent of 40 hp.'.ab sorbed by the compressor is of 26,000 calories pci"- hotir which added to the 80,000 calories absorbed form a total of 106,000 calories absorbed by the Water of condensation. The condensing compound steam motor of at least 50 hp. (amuch more powerful motor will generally be required in order to Work also the tools of the plant) condenses at least 50 G kgsi() kg. of steam per hour iiqnifl solution.f

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condenser if`; pas, ed through said @vapo corresponing @von at a low pxossuo #hat about G@ mioes, namely :oi'isidoringlho los` .0 250,000 caloiies por houx sn'iciont io i up ioin 15o to 400 C. a ion oi Waor poi Supposiig the wate leaved the we: (Libero would im 1150,00@ io be dispo' of, wfoiie *a l F i'ied on @von sapori l i, only -O per ton by n'nznns o; iri-iaezing.

,if insiemi of lining A: :un inoior moto.'- ff-Quiii :i coaisuniption (witiionl', non .fing in@ noni lostin tho v tor) of 400 coral panooli le hom modv (namely tomi (oi of about gr, por loorso-poww-hon} inni; is 2G kg. of (toni par honi* lf'oi' a 5U lip mi chine, about; ),()(i` cuioiies would 3 sabio ioi homing tile w; w on i tlm 168,000 aiorhofl by i'iocondons tomi amount oi about :250300 (colori fioient to wai-ni up a 'ton of no 0 C.

i. in :in fiplzifziosor ooncon ,lnionS5 the Combination of momia fm? natiziily freezing izl'io Solution, onlowiposioi", ooiiflens; o ommwtofi Wim said evs: o1 l pump oonneoed with :iai-fl wupoidmi am? confienf'lel'fs im cxliinsili; saine, pini: u of mima: in snif'l am; nullo? iirongli warm Winzer mziy no cirfzuiiioii, pipas; in ono oi? said condenffers, and pipo connections bo tween. smid lezii'ig' inean nml the, pips in :said condenser Wiei'oby ice Wfitei from sziifi freezing n'iens may lie mail@ o pion iioogii said condenser.

' Q. in an appaimizs fof ooncmiiinting iuions, the con'iiiination. of ielri ming device consisting of a comprension :i roi'rigf ei-ani gag ofiniimisoii' and fl' "i i, nimm, .v :in ovaporaioi', licfieing pipes in "I raton; condenseifs i'or Said @vapori-zio@ a pump for exhausting* the ewporzior and tho condenser#7 o pipo connooion iemling 'from smid freezing sioni nl: io @aid ompomioi', nnrl pipo foruioclions l wenn the rci'rif" Ning Si fionfions. sind i'ifzo lioning pip in ti f *zuioizitor vvlnfmliy liquid winch has balconnlieatecl in par ing; lirongln Said io" poiaxnl riioi io eifapome iin: soinion lieirein.

in, an annali-atm; for conosnming' flie coi'ninnaiion oi a {foinng ingang, inning' for lioiziing; tlio soinion to be Conlffoninof freezing pipfel; locnx'fi in .wifi tanks, aan eipoif:i i ii ailing pipo@ in aid evpomoi, minieme r corina-(ricci wi l'i said evzq'ioiatm, i pump fof/, exhausting Said evapoiaor :ind the condon.- exs, o pipe connu-,fion foi wnucingwarm in liid 1 li-ouvgglin sho heizung pipes in the evaporator,

if 'om lle said oondensing means momia :for ooncincting the paiially concensoiiition from ons of. the freezing il said @wiwi-mor, and a pipe connac- .ion botwooii one said freezing tanks and on@ il# oondenoi'e; whereby ico-Water i a tank 'flow through solaiV "f: fn one of fno freezing ianii; io nl evaporator, and a pipe Conno-z in in. ml ieezing tanks ono of and l Win-.moby icfwater. from Said feemngj tank may *iow iahrough die Lines .in inn o izoifs.

in in appara- :lj conoon'ziing iiq "millions, combination of a com n )J7 ool'nionsois in, communication Wih @..oli nfiio' :and '.viiii the compressor, tanks oi bolli-ing the solutions to be concentrated `freezing' pipe@ loomed in said tanks, uni

conrolling means for keeping oonthe ow oi the refrigerantthrough i iis-2, n, @sa :in ovporatoi and oonooni'icoleo. in series, hooking pipes in find i'eozing pipes in said c clenses to the heating a ie partiaiy concentrated solution om i.- nino connection between tile other of the *lfrQ/ling tanks anal ono of tho oondensers,

' :a manip foi :.zinf lilo ooiiflonflf;

i l, n zigzpai'iiusi ifm." concentrating liq nifl mmm, lin: (combination of a comi condensing in communication Wlth aofi itil the cornuessor, tanks ibo' soiuions io be concentrated,

inwind rirl-said "anks, an

condon@ i'sin communicaoiim; said evaporator and mi each n cylindrical i L itioning walls eithm "ioi'oof pio-filling chambers, pipes 511]?- Agnii'ao-A my Said mills :nifl effecting communifiion iyewoen tho chambers, the pipes 1n :mini o'v'fipoifiior adapted to rem-ive warm no :fof conuotmg warm liq-` n the empm'ziior, means for condo@ 1- the framing tanks o theovaporaton nnisting the ovaporao liqiiid from the condensers, the spaces around said pipes in the evaporator adapted to receive the partially concentrated solution from one of the freezing tanks, and the pipes in the condensers adapted to receive the ii-uid from one of the freezing tanks, thespaces around the pipes in the oondensers adapted to receive the concern' trated solution from the other of said freezing tanks, and a pump for exhausting the evaporator and the condensers.

7. A freezing tank for concentrating apparatus having transversely disposed partitions at either end thereof providing closed chambers, pipes' supported by vsaid parti-4 e73,eso

a vertically disposed and perforated Wall.

inelosing said inlet pipe, and means for regulating the `,How of the refrigerant solution Athrough said pipes.

,The foregoing specification signed. at

Turin, Kingdom of Italy, this third day of March 1909.

EUDo MONTI.

In presence of CUMiNo Colmo,Y Bours ALLAN, 

